Lofoten or Faroe Islands in October?

Hi there, I’m posting this because I can’t decide. We’d like to travel in mid-October to explore a Nordic destination. We’ll have 6 full days on-site. I’m torn between the Faroe Islands and Lofoten... What about the weather and the cost of accommodation? My budget is a maximum of 120 € per night. I don’t want to rush but take the time to explore just one part of these islands and avoid running around too much. The Faroe Islands might be pricier and less lively. Lofoten requires more flight connections... In terms of landscapes and 6-day hikes, could you share your feedback?

My request is a bit vague.

Thanks for reading!

Penelope

I went to the Faroe Islands in June/July.

The destination is perfect for hiking and for those who don’t like crowds.

In terms of weather—and having traveled to Norway, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands—what can you say about Nordic destinations other than it’s a lottery? You have to go with the idea of the worst-case scenario. Maybe the best will happen?

I was lucky in the Faroe Islands, less so in Norway, and even less in Iceland...

Budget-wise, I didn’t find huge differences between the countries. (For accommodation and food, Iceland is still the most expensive destination, followed by Norway.) It’s pricey, and it’s better to rent apartments rather than stay in hotels (so avoid restaurants or only go occasionally). In October, it’s no longer peak season, so it should be better.

Be careful: hikes are generally paid for in the Faroe Islands, at least the most popular ones (all land is private, and owners had to make improvements so their properties wouldn’t be wrecked by too many tourists. The French aren’t used to this because, back home, it’s the community—and our taxes—that pay for these improvements. Better to know beforehand!)

You can find a detailed account of my Faroese trip here .

Thanks so much, Attila, for your reply! I’ll check out your travel journal right away. 😉

Hi there. I think the difference in latitude is also something to consider. The Lofoten Islands are much farther north than the Faroe Islands, so in October there might already be snow, and it gets dark very early. The same goes for northern Iceland. I went to the Lofoten Islands in July 2023 and was really lucky with the weather. If you choose the Lofoten Islands, I’d recommend the Reine area (all the way south), which is the most spectacular, or the Leknes area, which makes it easy to explore some amazing spots. If you’d like some ideas for exceptional hikes in the Lofoten Islands, feel free to check out my site: https://treksrandos.fr/

Thanks Rage2001. I’ll check out your site.